The North Carolina High School Athletic Association (public schools) is reducing its playoff fields for the 2020-21 year. State championships in football are scheduled for May 8. … Former Clemson backup Chase Brice has been named starting quarterback at Duke. The Blue Devils open the season Saturday at Notre Dame (NBC, 2:30 p.m.). … The United States Golf Association is planning a permanent headquarters in Moore County, home to the Pinehurst courses. … Coaches and athletic staff at UNC will have pay cuts or furloughs, effective Oct. 1. … Miami reached the East finals in the NBA playoffs with a 103-94 over Milwaukee on Tuesday night as Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo was sidelined with a sprained right ankle. … LeBron James scored 36 points and played in a record 162nd NBA playoff win as the Los Angeles Lakers topped Houston, 112-102, for a 2-1 series lead in the West semifinals. … Boston takes a 3-2 lead into a 6:30 p.m. matchup with Toronto (ESPN) and the Los Angeles Clippers lead Denver, 2-1, going into a 9 p.m. tipoff (ESPN) tonight. … Miami rookie right-hander Sixto Sanchez surpassed 100 miles per hour twice in an 8-0 win at Atlanta on Tuesday night.